The Newsletter of The Sunderland Trust Webfooter 27 2017 in Review

Welcome to Webfooter, Issue 27. This year, because we have been so busy, our ‘regular’ updates have been a little thin on the ground. To make up for this, we are providing this bumper ‘Year in Review’ issue, filled with all of the stories from the year. Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust Next year will be another busy year for us, Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre with a number of important celebrations The Royal Dockyard Chapel, and projects, and we will endeavour to Meyrick Owen Way, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6WS keep you all well informed as we progress. 01646 684220 [email protected] I would like to take this opportunity to www.sunderlandtrust.com thank all our supporters for their continued work during the year and look Facebook/sunderlandtrust forward to welcoming many of you in to Twitter/PDHeritageCent the Heritage Centre again in 2018.

Instagram/pembrokedockheritagecentre With Very Best Wishes,

Registered as a charity in England and , number 1120476 Registered as a company Stuart Berry, Heritage Centre Manager limited by guarantee, number 05920931

Winter Closure

Please note that the Heritage Centre will be closed to the public from Monday 18 December 2017 until Friday 5 January 2018.

The Centre will re-open on Saturday 6 January, and opening hours will remain for the new season: Monday to Saturday, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Please call 01646 684220 or email [email protected] for further details.

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The group photograph of RAF Pembroke Dock personnel found in the Heritage Centre Archive. George is on the far right of the third row

Centenarian’s connection to PD memories of his time at ‘PD’; he also never forgot his RAF number - 714851. In February this year, a copy of the above photograph, which was taken in 1944 or During wartime men of many nations 1945, winged its way across the globe to served at ‘PD’; maintaining good links centenarian, George Chung, of Old with present-day overseas communities Harbour St Catherine, Jamaica, thanks to of former service personnel is of vital the wonders of the internet. importance to us in remembering the contributions made by them. Sadly, we recently learned that George passed away only weeks after we made this contact with him.

Providing the link to George was his neighbour, Kennedy Singh, who got in touch with the Trust. Locally, George was well-known and had featured in media stories about his 100th birthday as well as his ownership of a 50-year-old Morris Oxford car.

Born in 1916, George was a shopkeeper before joining the RAF in 1942. After initial training in Jamaica he went overseas to the UK and was posted to RAF Pembroke

Dock. George Chung, who celebrated his 100th birthday in October 2016, was posted to RAF George became a Leading Aircraftsman Pembroke Dock during WWII. George sadly in charge of stores and had fond passed away in March 2017.

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Paul Laidlaw, and the Volvo P1800, at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre with members of the Sunderland Trust team who run the Centre. Left to right: Stuart Berry, Peter Mitchell, John Evans, Paul Laidlaw and Rik Saldanha.

A visit from the BBC about the famous Sunderland flying boats and the recovery of many In March, the Heritage Centre was visited artefacts from Sunderland T9044 which by a film crew for the hit BBC series sank off the town in 1940. ‘Antiques Road Trip’. Also starring in the filming was a classic Antiques expert Paul Laidlaw – who has a car used in the programme – with Paul special interest in military history – went driving a superb Volvo P1800S sports car on a journey of discovery to Pembroke dating from the mid-1960s. This is the Dock, once one of the UK’s foremost model of car made famous by Roger military towns. Moore in the TV series ‘The Saint’.

This was Paul’s first ever visit to Pembroke The show was finally aired in October, Dock, which has long connections with all and whilst some of the scenes featuring three armed services, and he met up with our volunteers were cut, our own John members of the local heritage teams. Evans did feature, atop Pembroke Dock’s From the Gun Tower on Front Street he Guntower. was able to view the waterway and learned about the vital contributions Are you considering a donation to made by RAF Pembroke Dock’s flying charity instead of giving Christmas boats during the wartime ‘Battle of the Cards this year? Atlantic Campaign’, from the Sunderland Trust’s John Evans.

At the Heritage Centre, Paul heard from Rik Saldanha, a volunteer and a member of the Sunderland Trust Dive Group,

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Python in search of maritime history and in recent years headlines have been made with the discovery of the very well In April, worldwide adventurer Michael preserved vessels in Arctic waters. Palin returned to for the first time in over 40 years – in search of Erebus is the last remaining of the 260 maritime history and the remarkable and warships built at tragic story of a Pembroke Dock-built between 1814 and 1922. warship. With Ted Goddard as guide, Michael was Mr Palin visited the Heritage Centre and shown displays at the Heritage Centre met up with naval historian and Heritage relating to HMS Erebus and also walked Centre volunteer, Ted Goddard, to recall around areas of the Royal Dockyard the story of HMS Erebus which was which still remain nearly 200 years on. launched at Pembroke Dockyard in1826. Michael, one of the ‘Monty Python’ team Michael is writing a book on HMS Erebus and star of such classic television series as which, along with HMS Terror, took part in ‘Around The World In 80 Days’, was last in the ill-fated Franklin Expedition of the Pembrokeshire in 1976 when filming 1840s in the Canadian Arctic. Tragically, locally for the well-remembered feature both vessels and their crews were lost, film, Jabberwocky.

Michael Palin with Sunderland Trust volunteer historian Ted Goddard, at the Heritage Centre.

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The Sunderland model with Mrs Ann McPhee, and her sons Ross and Quentin.

Sunderland projects launched and the extended family of former Sunderland pilot, the late Wing Also in April, the Heritage Centre saw the Commander Harry Bunting, OBE. This is launch of two Sunderland flying boat an interactive model, splitting into projects, both unique to the UK. sections which can be assembled, and is an impressive addition to the Centre’s A replica Sunderland cockpit – built by education programme. the Centre’s volunteers – and a large scale interactive Sunderland model, Mrs McPhee, who vividly remembers the created by Pembrokeshire company, Sunderlands at Pembroke Dock when her Autodromo, were launched before an family lived in the town in the 1950s, invited VIP audience. spoke of the family’s pleasure at supporting the Centre and the The cockpit, faithfully depicting a Mark I community. Her father had flown well Sunderland, has been made over the last over 1,000 hours on Sunderlands from two years by a volunteer team led by before the Second World War, on retired RAF officer, Rik Saldanha. Funding operations during the war and in the came from the Armed Forces Community 1950s and was at RAF Pembroke Dock in Covenant and the cockpit project was 1957 when these well remembered flying officially launched by the RAF’s Air Officer boats were retired. Wales, Air Commodore Adrian Williams. Replica Cockpit Funding for the 14ft wingspan Sunderland model – one of the largest yet made in During the launch ceremony, Rik the UK – was generously provided by Mrs Saldanha detailed the cockpit’s Ann McPhee, her sons Ross and Quentin development and the involvement of so

6 Webfooter 27 2017 in Review many individuals, totally at least 7,000 one of the Sunderland Trust’s first man hours. Apart from engineering work volunteers. Ron, who was much involved for the controls, fibre glass covering and in making the flight simulation for the display materials, all the work was done in cockpit, moved to Norwich last year but house by volunteers, including the returned to the Heritage Centre, working instruments and the computer- especially for the launch event. simulated flight sequences on three large Visitors can now become ‘cockpit crew’ screens fronting the cockpit. and also see the interactive Sunderland There was a special ‘welcome home’ for model at the Centre. former Sunderland airman Ron Boreham –

Air Commodore Adrian Williams, the RAF’s Air Officer Wales, with Rik Saldanha, leader of the cockpit team, in the replica Sunderland cockpit.

Be remembered for remembering them…

Find out how: www.sunderlandtrust.com/donate/gift-in-your-will

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Much needed funds raised Be part of something special… In May, the pain was worth every penny 2018 is a big year for us at the as volunteer John Mitchell braved a chest Sunderland Trust. Be a part of it and waxing to raise funds for the Trust. help us achieve our full potential. John, who had recently turned 70, www.localgiving.org/donation/pdst endured the pain and raised well over

£500 in sponsorship. Family members and or call 01646 6842220 or email friends, including many members of the [email protected] to Volunteer team, witnessed John’s make a donation to us, today. fortitude as the waxing process was carried out, strip by strip, by the expert hands of local beautician Ally Doyle. Sunderland photo captures history

Also keeping a watching brief was the A photograph capturing a special Heritage Centre ‘mascot’, ‘Pembroke moment in local history – when a Duck’, the costume donned by fellow Sunderland flying boat last flew over volunteer Mike Jones. Pembrokeshire – has been donated to the Centre.

Making the presentation was an ‘old boy’ of Pembroke Dock, Air Commodore Paul Crotty, CBE, who grew up at Llanreath and vividly remembers Sunderlands operating out of the Haven in the 1950s.

Air Commodore Crotty had a distinguished career in the , spanning 33 years, and at one time commanded the RAF’s largest station, RAF Stafford, with over 2,500 John Mitchell grins through the waxing carried personnel and staff. He is a regular visitor out by Ally Doyle, as ‘Pembroke Duck’ (alias Mike Jones) keeps a beady eye on progress. to relatives in Pembrokeshire.

John’s sacrifice is just one of several The photograph shows civilian special fundraising initiatives undertaken Sunderland, Islander, flying over by the Volunteer Team this year and Pembroke Dock in 1993 en route to the which have already raised considerable USA and a museum in Florida. funds for the Sunderland Trust.

“Our volunteers have all done incredibly well,” Heritage Centre Manager, Stuart Berry said. “Many of them have dedicated so much time, energy and, in John’s case, personal comfort, in the name of raising much-needed money this year. Myself and the Trustees are incredibly grateful to all of their efforts!” Air Commodore Paul Crotty presenting the Sunderland photograph to John Evans.

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Local students tackle centre tasks College, and they’ve done an outstanding job for us! This is exactly the As we prepared for summer, the type of mutually beneficial community surrounds of the Centre never looked partnership that we would like to be more pristine, thanks to the hard graft of doing with a range of organisations in students from Pembrokeshire College. Pembroke Dock and beyond.” The ten-member team and supervisors spent two days at the Centre during the Centre volunteers have also changed June heatwave and, with Centre some exterior items around with the volunteers, tackled many tasks. Sunderland flying boat float now positioned on the mini roundabout near These included cutting back the entrance. A large propeller, believed undergrowth and weeding, general to be from a Sunderland and recovered tidying up of the grounds and painting over 30 years by a trawler, outside benches. The two imposing is now alongside the visitor entrance. cannons which guard the front of the Dockyard Chapel were also given a Helping the students and also involved in spruce up. other work were volunteers Steve Fletcher, Steve Canton, Chris Howell, Stuart Berry, said: “It has been fantastic to Greg Laycock, Mike James, Alan Porter work with staff and students from the and John Mitchell.

The hard working Pembrokeshire College student team pictured outside the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre with Volunteers Steve Canton and Chris Howell and Stuart Berry.

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Sunderland Trust volunteer Margaret Black displays the newly acquired story of Australian airman Ron Prentice which was presented by Vivienne Creighton. With them are volunteers Rik Saldanha (left) and John Evans.

Vivienne’s third time lucky visit flight, flew to London and headed west by train. Unseasonal British weather and two cancelled visits to the Milford Haven “I just had to see the Heritage Centre - I Waterway by her cruise ship did not deter had heard so much about it from a this Australian visitor from making a long friend, Anne Flaherty, who came over last planned visit to the Centre. year. I was so impressed in what has been achieved since my previous visits Vivienne Creighton, who lives in Elanora and I was given such a wonderful Heights, New South Wales, was twice welcome.” thwarted by unseasonal weather conditions in early June which led to the This was Vivienne’s third visit, having seen liner Prinsendam cancelling Haven the original Flying Boat Centre in 2009 stopovers. and the visitor centre at the Fleet Surgeon’s House in 2011 - earlier heritage “I was so disappointed,” said Vivienne, initiatives by the Pembroke Dock whose late husband, John, was a Sunderland Trust. navigator stationed with the Royal Australian Air Force’s famous 461 She brought with her a significant Squadron at wartime Pembroke Dock. “I addition to the Heritage Centre Archive - specifically booked the cruise as I knew it the personal story of Australian airman was scheduled to visit Pembrokeshire.” Ron Prentice, who flew Sunderlands with 461 Squadron, compiled by an RAAF Instead the ship headed for Belfast and historian. This she presented to Centre Scottish destinations before returning to volunteer Margaret Black, an honorary home port Amsterdam. Determined to member of the Australian Sunderlanders visit ‘PD’, Vivienne delayed her return groups.

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Centre is venue of choice for diamond wedding celebration

There could only be one place to be Originally from Nottingham, Dick met when Sheila Stacey was planning a Sheila when he was doing his National surprise diamond wedding celebration – Service at the RAF in Pembroke Dock and her home town of Pembroke Dock. they were married at St Andrew’s Church on August 17th 1957. Unbeknown to husband Dick, Sheila arranged for relatives and friends to Sheila confesses that her heart is very gather at the Centre to celebrate their 60 much in Pembroke Dock. She and her years together, in August this year. husband are big supporters of the Centre and a fine collection of Sheila’s The location was an inspired choice as a photographs, including shots of carnival young Sheila had performed there in groups and pantomimes and plays by revues and pantomimes as well as the St John’s Players, have been copied competing in a carnival competition, for the Centre’s Archive. held in the former Royal Dockyard Chapel. Joining Sheila and Dick for their special celebration were daughters Julie and Sheila is the daughter of well- Janet, close friends Maureen and Richard remembered Pembroke Dock couple Connolly, and their bridesmaid and Tom and Rose Smith of Upper Meyrick flower girl from the wedding day 60 years Street. Her father won the Distinguished ago, Jennifer Blunsden (nee Childs) and Conduct Medal when serving in World Margaret Phillips (nee Morgan) and their War I and he and his wife were tireless husbands. workers for the British Legion.

Diamond Wedding couple Sheila and Dick Stacey (centre) shared special memories with their daughters and family friends.

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Chapel is first choice for Classic Cars In October, the Heritage Centre was the start and finishing point for Pembrokeshire 2017 has been a bumper year for the County Motoring Events’ South Former Royal Dockyard Chapel, which Pembrokeshire Coastal Run – the last houses the Heritage Centre, when it event of the season, with approximately comes to Classic Cars! 120 classic and retro cars, light commercials and motor bikes in The grounds of the Centre are the venue attendance. for two annual Classic and retro Car rendezvous, one in August and the Staff and volunteers are already involved second taking place in October. In the with planning to repeat this year’s past, the centre has also been the venue success with similar events in 2018. for specialist car owners clubs, including the Alvis and Porsche. If you are a member of a car owners club, and would like to book a visit or be The August event saw over 80 vehicles a part of next year’s events, email assemble on site in glorious sunshine, [email protected]. before many of them went on to join the Quins Carnival later in the afternoon.

Over 80 classic and retro vehicles gathered in the grounds in August before some of them joined the Quins carnival in the afternoon.

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Jackie King (centre), one of four generations of the Hillyer family at the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, with Centre volunteer Rik Saldanha.

New Sunderland history in logbook pages

The family of a wartime air gunner came between October 10th and 28th 1940. face-to-face with parts of the gun turret T9044 sank in a gale on November 12th. he actually occupied when they visited Holly Duggan, Jack’s granddaughter, the Centre. said: “While we were researching his RAF Along with several members of her family, story we found out that the Heritage Ms Jackie King of Manton, Rutland, was Centre had displays on T9044, which he following in the wartime footsteps of her had flown in, so we just had to come father, Henry John Hillyer. Known as Jack, here on a family visit. It is remarkable to he served for over 30 years in the RAF see so many parts of the aircraft in which including time on No. 210 Squadron, one he flew so many hours.” of RAF Pembroke Dock’s most famous Centre volunteer Rik Saldanha was on squadrons. hand to show the family around the In the autumn of 1940, while with 210 Centre, including the replica cockpit Squadron, Jack Hillyer flew a dozen times based on T9044. Rik, a member of the in Sunderland flying boat serial number Sunderland Trust Dive Group, regularly T9044 - the same aircraft which sank off dives on the site of T9044 and was able to Pembroke Dock in November that year. tell the family about the aircraft and how it sank. Many parts of T9044 have been recovered and are displayed at the Rik added: “The logbook is a great Centre. Among them are sections of discovery for us. We knew about the 14 Perspex from the rear turret which Jack operational flights made by T9044 but occupied during those 12 flights. These Jack Hillyer’s logbook lists much more - were shown to the family. several other flights not recorded in official records. We are delighted that we Jackie and family brought along Jack’s can add copies of the logbook pages logbook which lists the flights in T9044 and of Jack’s photographs to our archive.”

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Crest records unique squadron link with ‘PD’

A unique memento presented to an RAF “My family have agreed that this original officer at Pembroke Dock over 70 years artefact should now be returned to its ago has been returned to the town. place of origin for anyone to enjoy.”

In November 1944, just months before the No 228 Squadron had a long association end of World War II, squadron colleagues with Pembroke Dock, dating from 1936. of Flight Lieutenant George Scott signed The squadron was based there for several a special copy of the official crest of No periods, and spent the last two years of 228 Squadron which was presented to the war at ‘PD’. him when he was posted away. Flight The official crest of 228 Squadron depicts Lieutenant Scott was the Chief a winged Viking helmet with a Latin Engineering Officer of 228 Squadron, one motto which translates as ‘Help From The of RAF Pembroke Dock’s most famous Heavens’ - very appropriate for a flying Sunderland flying boat units. boat unit. This painting of the crest was A copy of the crest and signatures was by a squadron airman, LAC A. J. Lomax, already in the archive of the Pembroke who in civilian life had been a designer Dock Heritage Centre but now the for ‘Ardath’ cigarettes. Centre has the original – thanks to the generosity of George’s eldest son, Peter, Painting brings back ‘PD’ memories and family. The collection of original art held by the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre has been significantly enhanced following the donation by former Sunderlander Bertram Kingsnorth.

Bertram, who has happy memories of his time stationed at RAF Pembroke Dock in the 1950s, travelled from Ashford, Kent, to bring the painting to the Centre where it was received by volunteer, Bob Western.

The painting, by Ron Gage, is a fine study

Peter Scott presents the signed 228 Squadron of a 230 Squadron Sunderland in the air. crest to Stuart Berry.

Peter Scott recently visited the Centre and presented the framed crest to Stuart Berry, who said: “We are delighted to add this unique wartime item to our archive and are very grateful to Peter and the family.”

Added Peter: “Dad passed away in 2006, aged 101, and the tribute had sat on his dining room mantel for as long as I could Joining Bertram was RAF colleague Bryan remember. Mitchell, of Kilgetty, who is pictured (right) with Bertram and Bob Western.

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‘Sentinels of the Skies’ art exhibition ATC on the ball to mark RAF’s 100th

A painting which captures Pembroke The Royal Air Force100 Rugby Ball Tour - Dock’s military, maritime and aviation one of the first events in Wales to heritage in one iconic image has been commemorate the 100th anniversary of acquired for the Heritage Centre’s art the RAF in 2018 - took in several aviation collection. sites in west Wales, including to the Heritage Centre.

In November, Cadets from No 3 Welsh Wing, , visited present day and former RAF stations in their area with the special rugby ball which went on to be displayed, along with films taken on the route, at the rugby international between Wales and New Zealand.

The Officer Commanding No 3 Welsh Wing, Wing Commander Mike Stones,

The watercolour, depicting a Sunderland and Squadron Leader Lynn Jeremiah flying boat over the Front Street Gun Tower started the journey at Aberporth, moving on to Fishguard, Talbenny and Withybush Ruth Jayne Lewis is one of five Welsh Airport. The ‘southside’ tour began at the aviation artists who are exhibiting many Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre before of their recent paintings in an autumn travelling to a muddy RAF Angle, then to exhibition entitled Sentinels of the Sky, at a very wet RAF Manorbier, the restored the Heritage Centre. An eclectic mix of RAF Carew Cheriton Control Tower and 40 paintings and prints – with subjects ending at a very misty RAF Templeton. spanning 100 years of aviation history and other military subjects – will be on view between now and the end of February 2018.

Stuart Berry, Heritage Centre Manager said “This painting by Ruth encapsulates this town’s history and we are delighted Cadets and staff from Nos 2420 and 1574 to have it for our growing collection of Squadrons pictured with the RAF 100 Rugby original art.” Ball and Heritage Centre Volunteers Rik Saldanha and Peter Mitchell. All of the paintings in this Special Exhibition are for sale along with a range The ‘Southside’ Cadets were from Nos of prints and cards which can also be 2420 Whitland and 1574 Pembroke purchased from the Heritage Centre Gift Squadrons, accompanied by Sergeant Shop. Rachel Wilton, Sergeant Kris Butler and 1574 Squadron Pastor Pam Passmore The paintings are on view during normal opening hours at the Heritage Centre – At the Heritage Centre the cadets were 10 am to 4 pm Mondays to Saturdays given a guided tour and heard about the inclusive. RAF’s long connections with the town and the Haven Waterway.

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Book wings its way to Battle of Britain pilot’s family

A book which belonged to a schoolboy Noel discovered that Rodney Wilkinson is who went on to fly, fight and die in the remembered in a special Battle of Britain Battle of Britain in 1940 has been returned display at Pembroke Dock Heritage from Australia to his family in Centre and through the Trust, links were Pembrokeshire following a remarkable made with John and Rosie Allen- series of co-incidences. Mirehouse at Angle.

Entitled, ‘The Story of Mankind’ by Henrik The book is inscribed to Rodney from his van Loon, the book was given to a young Aunt, Cecily as a Christmas present. Rodney Levett Wilkinson in 1922. “We did not know of the book and Rodney’s mother, Ruth, was a member of are so pleased as a family to have it in the Mirehouse family and the nearest memory of my cousin Rodney,” said John relatives are John and Rosie Allen- Allen-Mirehouse. “Rodney was the only Mirehouse and family of The Hall, Angle. son of my Great Aunt Ruth, sister of Rodney joined the pre-war Royal Air Cecily, and nephew of my grandmother Force and trained as a pilot, reaching the Gladys. His father, Clement Wilkinson, rank of Squadron Leader. In June 1940, was killed in the trenches during the as the Battle of Britain aerial Great War, leaving Ruth widowed with a confrontations began, Rodney converted small son. I knew Ruth well; she was an onto the famous Spitfire fighter and took amazing lady and lived to 100. command of No 266 Squadron RAF. Just 41 days later he was killed in combat with “Rodney spent many childhood holidays at The Hall, Angle, with his the German Luftwaffe over the south of grandparents. He went to Cranwell and England. then the RAF. He is buried at Margate When training on the Spitfire, Rodney and I have visited his grave. loaned the book to fellow pilot Graham “In an aircraft museum is a Manton who never had the opportunity description of his last action. The story is to return it. After Graham’s death in told that during his last flight he dived Australia the book was passed to a friend after a German Messerschmitt Me109 and neighbour, Noel Sattler, who was fighter and hit its tail as he pulled out of determined to find a family connection. the dive. The German pilot survived but Rodney died when his Spitfire crashed.”

Rodney Wilkinson’s sacrifice in the Battle of Britain is remembered on a memorial plaque in Angle Church and on a planned war memorial at Rotherfield, East Sussex, where his mother Ruth lived during the war. He is also commemorated among 2,937 names on the Battle of Britain Monument on London’s Victoria Embankment.

John Allen-Mirehouse with the book, given to his cousin Rodney Wilkinson 95 years ago.

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King for 100 years

In November, another former PD serviceman, Len King, celebrated his 100th birthday. At his home in the Norwood wing of Southfield House, near Stockport, Len was joined by many friends and fellow residents to party all day.

Born in Small Heath, Birmingham, Len has lived and worked around the world. He joined the RAF in November 1935, aged 18 years and 5 days, to train as a Flight Rigger. A year later in December 1936 he joined 228 Squadron and so began a long career with the RAF which would take him to places as diverse as Malta, Egypt, Scotland, Singapore, Germany and of course, Pembroke Dock. Mr King enjoyed a selection of cakes, and a card from the Queen. In time for the big day, Southfield chefs Colin Wellburn and Andy Henshall There was a steady flow of visitors to see surprised and delighted Len with a the centenarian and a good number of special birthday cake which they had cards from friends and well-wishers from painstakingly decorated with the insignia as far afield as America. Naturally, Her of Len’s former squadron. Colin had got Majesty the Queen sent a card, which in touch with the Heritage Centre to let Len was genuinely delighted to receive. them know of Len’s landmark, and “Even the Queen knows I’ve been a King for 100 years!” he joked. Heritage Centre staff prepared a small parcel of gifts and cards to send to Len Throughout the day, Len proudly showed including prints – which the Southfield photograph albums of all his staff had mounted and framed – and a achievements over the last 100 years, lapel badge. including his “Hole in One” certificate Southfield staff had also baked and from Avro Golf Club in Woodford where decorated an assortment of cup-cakes he was a very active member after he including many with the RAF red, white retired from British Aerospace. They too and blue roundel. Care staff joined in the sent a birthday card signed by many members. fun of this landmark birthday, some even coming in on their day off or during Of his home at Southfield House Len had maternity leave to join in the fun with Len. nothing but praise: “I can sit back here In November 1966 aged 49 he retired and be quite at ease. I am indeed ‘Lucky from the RAF and joined Hawker Siddeley Len’ with so many people helping me to Aviation in Woodford as a Field Support enjoy each day. For 100, I don’t do too Engineer on the Nimrod aircraft. badly!” he mused as he walked (unaided!) and smiling.

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Plans for 2018

2018 is set to be a big year for the Trust Autumn inevitably sees visitor numbers and the Heritage Centre, with two big drop, but we hope to host another centenary commemorations, and a host Classic Car Event in October, and of of other events. course we are still in the process of planning events surrounding the The Heritage Centre will open early in centenary Armistice Day in November, January this year, as we look forward to but we hope to have an exhibition, as our main visitor season commencing from well as a commemorative event on the half-term in February. Our present Art day, in addition to a programme of other Exhibition, Sentinels of the Sky, is set to activities at that time of the year. continue to the end of February, when we will bring it down and start to install a Winter 2018 seems a long way off now, new temporary exhibit commemorating but we are still in the early stages of Pembroke Dock’s contribution to the 100 planning. year anniversary of the formation of the If you are interested in attending or being Royal Air Force, at the start of April. a part of any of the Heritage Centre With the onset of spring and summer, we events, you can sign up to our events hope that the Heritage Centre will email list, or follow us on our social media continue to see visitor numbers rise, aided channels, all details listed in the box in no small part by our big summer events below. surrounding Armed Forces Day at the end of June, and another summer Classic and Retro Car Rendezvous in the grounds.

Find us, follow us, like us, discover more…

Sign up to our events email list to receive regular updates about events and activities at the Heritage Centre: www.sunderlandtrust.com/visit-us/mailing-list/

Go to our Facebook page, and click ‘Like’ to get our Facebook updates, including news, events and activities, in your Facebook newsfeed: www.facebook.com/sunderlandtrust/

Our Twitter account also shares news and events, click Follow on our account to receive these updates in your Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/PDHeritageCent/

We regularly share pictures and photographs from events and activities through our Instagram account, click ‘Follow’: www.instagram.com/pembrokedockheritagecentre/

Of course, you can also contact us by phone, 01646 684220 or email [email protected] if you have any questions or would like any information.

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